Electrical switch



May 1927' G. o. WILMS ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Avril 14. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 19 l 629 756 May 2 27 cs. 0. WILMS ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed April 14. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 24, 1927.

G. o. WILMS ELECTRICAL SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 14. 1921 Gustav UWflms.

Patented Ma 24; 1927.

WISCONSIN,

ELECTRICAL sw rcn.

Application filed April'14, 1921.

The present design of-switch is particularly adapted for use inswitching electrical circuits in churches, theaters,'dwellings etc, and in installations where the switches open or close infrequently, but

time.

magnetically, which is objectionable because of the usual characteristic humming noise and in addition the current consumption is materially increased, in that the coil is en ergized so long as the switch iis inclosed position. i

, Hence it is one of the obiects of the present invention to'provide' an electric switch in which magnet coils are utilized to either open or close the same, thus permitting the operation of the switch from a remote point,

but at the same time providing ine ansfor Inechanically retaining the switch closed,

'necessitatingbut. a momentary energization of the coils to effect a reduction intthe current consumption, as well as eliminate the characteristic humming noise of magneti- (rally held switches.

In mechanically held magnetically oper. ated switches, it is a desirable feature that the magnet coil circuits be aiitoiiiat'ically opened by a movable member of the switch and fOt tllC efficient and positive operation of the switch it IS essential that the magnet coil circuits be opened only after the switch all tion. Hence with the above in mind, this invention has for one of its ob ects to pro vide means connected with a movable switch member for delaying the opening of the magnet coil circuits until after the switch has come to rest in either of its two positions i. e. when the switch is being closed, with the locking latch or the like engaging the same, or when the switch is being opened,

when closed l'8-' I main so ior compaiatiyely long periods of Normally, contactor switches SlIllllfiI: to the present type are maintained closed 'ing the circuits Serial No. 461,288.

until the moving switeh parts have passed beyond mechanical locking means.

A further object of this invention is to\ provide aquickgacting switch of the class tain as little mass as possible. and to provide means for delaying the opening of the mag- 1 net ,coil circuits whereby thesame will serve in the nature of a fly wheel and assure the positive action of the switch in moving to and from closed position.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a-switch of the class described in which the parts thereof may be easily and quickly replaced; and which will be positive in closing, reliable and unlikely to get outofrepair.

With the aboveand other objects in viewwhich will appear asfthe description proceeds, my invention resides in the struction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by pended claims, changes in the herein disclosed invention may be made as come' within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated two complete examples of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best' modes I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure l is a front view of a switch construction embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, with parts in elevation and parts in section,

it being understood that such precise embodiment of the illustrating my improved form of auxiliary switch construction; has reached either its closed oropened posi- Figure 4 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the removable tube member of the auxiliary or delaying switch, the electrodes being in elevation;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic .view illustratof the switch actuating magnet coils, and

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of switch construction utilizmg the same general principle for delaying novel con-.

the apears'15. The rod 29 accompanying .end' 19 of the rod 23, whic'h is coi v of the sides of sa dyoke with-its center abuttin the top 'ofa'proje'ctionor rod 24 car-' 7 which are made fast to the yoke.

-ment of the yokh22; under action of the.

the extended ends 28 the opening of the closing magnet coil circuit while the switch is beingclosed.

Referring ow more particularly to the drawings, in' 'which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views;

-The numeral 10 designates an insulating having mounted thereon a frame 11- which forms the outside 'laminae'of a substantially U-shapedcore 12, and a lami .nated armature 13,.o'ne' end of which is 'pivotally secured to the frame 11 by a pin 14 which passes through ears 15 carried by the frame and projec'tionsjlti formed by extending'theoute'r laminae of the 'armatur'eas best shown in Figure 1. :.The other-ends of the outermost laminaeof the armature" are also extended; and

have a roller 17'S6C11Ifd therebetweenb .atransverse rod 'or projection v18, one en 19 of which forms af'support for a movable switch. contact 20, to be later described, andthe' other end 21 of whichforms means for connecting the auxiliary-switch, to be later described, with the armature. a

The ,mo'vable contact is made fastto a substantially U-shaped yoke 22, which has the sides thereof apertured to receive the 18; and theend 'of's'aid oke carrying contact 20 is at all times yieldingly urged toward the baseIO by. a spring ed about the. pin 18 medially rie by the armature sldes'andthe ends of .The moves ring 23, is limitedby the ends therect a utting the projection 24.- The movable contact'24 is engageable with a stationary ,contact25 hich -is mounted upon-a stand ard, carried'by the panel 10, and when the armature is in its full line position depicted' in Figure 2, the contacts 2Q and 25 will be inpositivecontact, with the spring 23 under tension. w.

4 The armature 13 is normally yieldingly urged outwa'rdlyfromfthe panel by a spring 26, the ends 2Tofjwhich are engaged'over v of the project-ions, 16 andithe medial portion of which is coiled aboutthe pin 14 with itscenter abutting a ,rod 29 connecting the inner; portions of the also serves to limit the outwardmovement of the armature 13'u'nder' Q i 28 engage said rod 'theaction oi its spring 27, as. the projections when the armature is in its dotted line position depicted fin Figure 2.

: Wound about the upper arm of the core 12 is a closing magnet coil-30 which, when en'- ergized, draws' the free end of armature 13' toward itwith a quick snap movement to engage contacts 20-and 25. 1 i

After the armature has. been moved to its position closing contacts 20'and 25, it is mechanically held closedby a latch 31, which ,has its inner end pivotallymounted upon apin 32 journaled in a bearing bracket 33 carried by a plate 34 secured to the baseand having its outer ends provided with opposite ly' extending portions 35 and 36'. The .portion 35 has its end surface notched or'r'e-- cessed, as at 3T, to en'g'age, over and lock behind the roller 17 when the armature is'in closed'position, and when-the armature is 'in open position the outer'end of portion 37 "will normally rest upon the roller 17 in order that,-u on the closing of thearmature, the notch- 3 can engage roller 17 The latch 31-'i s',preferably arranged whereby its own weight will. engage its projection 37 with the armature to secure the same closed. The latch member 31 is' actuated to release the armatureb'y an opening coil 38 which is wound about a care, not shown carried by the plate 34, andfrom which core projects a pole The closing coil 30 1s securedon the arms of the U-shaped core by bracket arms 41,se-

cured to the frame 11, and one terminal 42 of the coil, is connected by a conductor 43 with one contact 44 of a control switch such as a thermostat or the nal'44 being connected with one supply line 45 through the im 'roved form of auxiliary .or delaying switc to be later described. The opening coil 38 has one terminal 46 connected with a contact -47 of theswitch bya conductor-48 and its other terminal 49 connected'with thesupply line 45 through the auxiliary delaying switch. The conductor 45 of the supply lines has one end connected to a terminal 50 of a standard 51, which carries the stationary contact'25; The load line is made fast to a terminal 52 carried by the frame 11 and from which runs a piece The projection'or portion 36 of the latch 31 is recessed to receive the free.

like, the other termimounted on the pin 32, and b control lead 53 to the movable contact 20. The other thesupply lines has a con-.

as a result the armature 13 is attracted to the arms of the core 12. and the contacts 20 and 25 are brought into engagement quickly, thereby completing the circuit to the load, the latch 31 engaging over the roller 17 to lock the switch closed. The coil 30 is deenergized, after the switch has closed, by

opening the coil circuit through the medium ment of the control switch member 56 with contact 47 will energize the opening coil and cause the armature 40 to be attracted to the pole piece 39, raising with it the free end of i the latch 31 and releasing the armature 13, when the energy of the springs 23 and 26 comes into play to open the contacts and with a quick snap movement to eliminate as much as possible the arcing and pitting thereof. It isalso desirable that the coil 38 be deenergized after the switch has been opened-but at the same time the deenergization of the -coil must not be instantaneous with the attraction of the armature 40 to the tained energized until the armature 13 has practically reached its full open position in order to prevent the possibilitylof the latch 31 dropping and engaging behind the roller l7rbefore the force of the springs 23 and 26 have started the opening movement of the switch parts. .i

The means for delaying the opening of the coil circuits consists of a standard 57 secured to the panel 10 and having a shaft 58 journaled in its upper end, the inner end of which is cranked as at 59 and pivotallyreceives one end of an insulating link or crank rod 60, the other end of which is pivotally face of the plate 61 and then extend in-- secured to the projected end 21 of the rod 18. Fixed to the outer end of the shaft 58 is an insulated plate 61 provided at its end with spring contacts 62 and 63, the inner ends of which are made fast to the inner wardly at right angles and are coiled, as at 64 and 65, to overlie the grooves or channels 66 and 67, respectively, of' an insulating spool 68 mounted on the shaft 58 intermediate the plate 61 and standard 57.

The plate 61 is also provided with an in tel-mediate springcontact 69 in the form of a U clip. to rem'ovably secure the auxiliary switch proper in position, which is in the form of a tube 70 of insulating material such I as glass or the like and closed at both ends bv ferrules or ca 5 .71 and 72, carrvim contacts or electrodes 73 and 74. respectively,

extending into the interior ofthe tube. The electrodes 73 and 74 are preferably secured to the caps 71 and 72 by riveting over the outer ends thereof to provide projections 75 and 76 which are adapted to engage in the.

openings 77 and 78. of the spring contacts 62 and 63 respectively. The tube 70 also has a ferrule or band'79 secured to its central portion which carries a substantially T- shaped current conductor 80, the transverse portion ofwhich is in substantial alignment with the a xis ofthe tube and the longitudinal portion of which is electrically connected to the ferrule 79,as at 81.

The currentconductor. or electrode 80 is at all times connected with the supply line 45 through the spring contact 69, shaft 58, standard-57, a conductor 82 having oneend connected tothe standard 57 and its other end connected to frame 11, and'then out ,to the supply line.45. The spring contact 62 has a conductor 83 secured in its'end 6-1 then loosely wound around spool 68, in its channel 66, and connected to the terminal 44.of

,the closing coil 30. The spring contact 63 is tube 70 is-filled with siiflicient mercury 85 to v. 'touch',the electrode 74 and the end 86 of the polecpiece 39, instead the coil must be ma1nconductor 80, when 'the tube and switch in Figures 1 and 2. \Vhcn the tube is in its dotted position in Figure 2, the mercury 85 touches and electrically connects the electrode 73'and the end 87 of the connector 80.

lVith the switch open. see dotted line position in Figure 2, the tube 70 will be inclined with the ferrule 71 beneath the ferrule 72, as a result of which the mercury 85 electrically connects electrode 73 with electrode80, and the side 44 of'the coil 30 is in electrical connection with the load line 45. lVith the parts in these positions, an engagement of the control switch member 56 with contact 44 will electrically connect the side 44 of the coil 30 with the load line 54-, when the coil 30 will be energized to attract the armature 13 and closethe switch.

As the armature moves inwardly the tube 70 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2, but the action of the mercury 85 mercury, the adhesion between the mercury and the inside walls of the glass tube and the centrifugal force which tends to retain the mercury at the end of the tube. By reason of these factors. the armature comes to ,restwith a quick snap in its'closed posit ion and the' latch 31 mechanically secures the same. Vhen the armature has come to rest in its closed position.-the abrupt arresting of the rotary movement of the tube 70 l l lllllb the mercury to run to the other end thereof. which'is now beneath the horizontal, thus electrically disconnecting electrodes 73 and 80:

The mercury 85 now electrically connects the electrodes 74 and 80 and the side 49 of the opening coil 80 is in electrical connection with the supply line 45, so that when the control switch member 56 is engaged with contact 47, the side 46 of the coil is electrically connected with the other supply line 54 and the coil energized to attract armature toward; its ole piece 39 and release the armature 13 and permit its movement to open position. .The tube 70 is rotated in a dlrectlon reverse to the arrow n Figure 2 when theswitch is being opened and the opening of the circuit of coil 38 is delayed in the same manner hereinbefore described in connection with the closing of the switch."

The travel of the auxiliary or, mercury switch, in degrees, is much greater than that of the armature 13, as a result of which the peripheral speed of the mercury switch is materially increased.

I By the use of the auxiliary switch hereinbefore described, it is possible to reduce the mass of the switch parts to a minimum as the tube 70 and plate 61' have a. fiy-wheel efiect to assist in the closing of the switch.

In Figure 6, I'have illustrated a slightly modifiedembodiment of my invention in which inertia means are also utilized to de- .lay the opening of the closing coil circuits. In this form of my invention the armature 13 carries an arm 88 adjacent its pivot, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to a bolt or rod 89 which is'passed through an opening in the closed end of a substantially U-shaped member 90 and is yieldably restrained from movement in one direction by a spring 91, coiled about the bolt 89 and between the head 92 thereof and the closed end 93 of said yoke member.

The yoke member 90 has its, sides correspondingly slotted as at 94 to receive a pin.

carried thereby adjacent the standard 98,

and the contact 100 is connected with the side 44 of the coil 30 by a conductor 102 and the contact 101 is connected to the suply line by a conductor 103. The conacts 1 00 and 101 are electrically connected,

when the switch is open by a disk 104 which is mounted on the end of a rod 105 slidably mounted in the free end of a lever 106 having its inner end journaled as at 107 to the standard 98. A positive contact between the disks and the contacts 100 and 101 is assured by an extensile spring 108 coiled about the rod 105 and confined between the disk and the lever 106. The inner end of lever 96 has one end of a link 109 pivotally connected therewith, the other end of which is medially a stop 111 limiting Lees mac ivotall connected with the lever 106. i ith t is construction, the lever 96 and link 109 are either in longitudinal alignment dr'else have their inner ends slightly past dead center when the switch is open and are maintained in'this position by a spring 110, one end of-which engages the standard 98 and the other the inner end of link 109,

the movement of the center connection 0 the lever 106 and' link 109 past center. I I

With this construction, when the circuit of the coil 30 is closed by the control lever 56'engaging contact"44, the coil 30 is energized and the armature drawn inwardly with a snappy positive movement and by reason of its connection with the lever 88; the

rod 89 will be also raised with the quick U snappy' movement. By reason of the inertia of the weight 99, the yoke member will remain practically stationary and the rod 89 will move upwardly compressing spring 91, until sufiicient energy .is'stored in the spring 91- torovercome; the inertia of the weight 99. By the time the armature 13 has reached its closed position and is mechanithe spring 91 until the lower face of slot 94 engages pin 95, rocking the lever 96 on its central pivot to shorten the distance becally held by the latch. 31, the yoke member 90 will be moved upwardly by the force of tween'the standard 97 and the pivotal connection between lever-106 and link 109 to disconnect contacts and 101.

While in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, "the contacts 20 and 26 have been described and illustrated as.

being actuated to close a circuit when the delaying action of opening the coil 30 circuit takes place, it will be obvious that the action may be reversed where the construction is such that the contacts 20 and 25 are electrically disconnected when the coil 30 is energized. I a

I claim: i

An electric switch of the class described comprising a movable armature, an electromagnet acting on said armature, a switch for connecting said electromagnet with an electric supply circuit, and a delaying means arranged to retard the action of said switch, said delaying means being rendered inactive substantially immediately upongthe armature reaching a point of rest.

In a mechanically held electric switch, a switch member movable to and from clos ing position. a magnet coil for said member included within an electric circuit, and means operable by said switch member for opening the magnet coil circuit, said means includ' ing parts, the inertia of which tend to delay the opening of said circuit.

3. In a mechanically held magnetic switch, a movable member, a magnet coil operable, upon being energized, to actuate the switch,

and means operable by a closing movement of said member to open the circuit of said coil, the inertia of said means tending to delay the opening of said magnet coil circuit.

4. In an electric switch, a movable member adapted to be actuated upon an opening and closing of the switch, means for releasably securing the switch in closed position, a magnet coil operable upon the closing of its circuit to release said switch securing means, and means operable by an opening movement of said switch member for opening the circuit of said magnet coil, the inertia of said last mentioned means tending to delay the opening of said magnet coil circuit.

5. In a mechanically held magnetic switch, a member movable to and from closing position, a closing magnet coil, releasable means for retaining the switch closed, a'tripping magnet coil for said means, said coils being included within suitable electric circuits, and means operable by said switch member for opening and closing the magnet coil circuits to render the closing and tripping coils inoperative as the switch is closed and opened, respectively.

6. In a mechanically held magnetic switch, a member movable to and from closing position, a closing magnet coil, releasable means for retaining the switch closed, a tripping magnet coil for said means, said coils being included within suitable electric circuits, and means operable by said switch member for opening and closing the circuits of said magnet coils, said last mentioned means including parts the inertia of which tends to delay the opening and closing of said coil circuits.

7. In' a mechanically held magnetic switch, a switch closing magnet coil, means for releasably holding the switch closed, a coil included within a circuit and adapted upon the completion of the circuit to close the switch, and an auxiliary switch for opening the coil circuit to render the same inoperative, said auxiliary switch consisting of a supporting means, a connection between the switch and the supporting means whereby actuation of the switch imparts a rotary movement to the supporting means, fixed contacts carried by said supporting means and a shifting contact carried by the supporting means and arranged to electrically connect and disconnect said fixed contacts, adhesion, and friction between the shifting contact and supporting means and the inertia of the shifting contact itself resulting in a resistance to any force tending to set the same in motion upon rotation of the supporting means by actuation of the switch to appreciably delay the action thereof.

8. In an electric switch, a switch member movable to and from closing position as the switch is actuated, a control magnet coil for the switch included,within a circuit which when closed will energize the magnet coil and move the switch to one of its positions and when opened will dee ergize the coil when the switch has moved *to its other position, and an auxiliary switch operable by said movable member for opening said circuit after the switch has come to rest in one of its two positions said auxiliary switch including a' rotary member whereby the motion thereof will impart an added momentum to the movable member of the switch in its movements from one position to another.

9. In an electric switch, a switch member movable to and from closing position as the switch is actuated, a control magnet coil for the switch included within a circuit which when closed will energize the magnet coil and move the switch to one of its positions and when opened will dcenergize the coil when the switch has moved to its other position, a shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the movable switch member, a connection between the movable switch member and thc shaft whereby the same is rotated by ,movement of said switch member, and an auxiliary switch operable by rotation of said shaft to to rest in one of its two positions.

10. In an electric switch, a switch member movable to and from closing position as the switch is actuated, a control magnet coil for the switch included within a circuit which open said circuit after the switch has come i member, means connecting said shaft with the switch member whereby movement of said member rotates the shaft, and an auxil-' iary switch readily detachably connected with the shaft and operable by rotation thereof to open said circuit after the switch has come to rest in one of its two positions 11. In an electric switch, a switch member movable to and from closing position as the switch is actuated, a control magnet coil for the switch included within a circuit which when closed will energize the magnet coil and move the switch to one of its'imsitions and adapted to be de-energizedwvhen the switch has moved to its other position. a shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the switch member, a crank arm on said shaft, a link connecting the crank arm with the switch member whereby movement of the switch member rotates said shaft, and an auxiliary switch actuated by rotation of said shaft to open the circuit after the switch has come to rest in one of its two positions.

12. In an electrical switch, a switch member movable to and from closing position as the switch is actuated, electrical means for actuating thc switch member, a rotatably mounted plate member, means connecting the plate member with the switch member whereby actuation of the switch member rotates whereby actuation of the switch member will the same, a cartridge-type circuit making make and break the circuits of the said and breaking device detachably mounted on switch actuating 'means in said cartridge- 10 the plate, and said switch actuating and cirtype circuit making and breaking device.

cuit making and breaking device being in- In testimony whereof, I a'flix my signature. eluded within suitable electrical circuits GUSTAV O. WILMS. 

